Motorists face hours of traffic delays along NLEX due to flooding

Metro Manila motorists bound for Pampanga should brace for 3- to 4-hour traffic delays due to flooding in some parts of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX).

According to GMA Integrated News reporter JP Soriano on Saturday, the Tulaoc Overpass in San Simon, Pampanga, remains flooded.

LOOK: Motorists heading to Pampanga from Quezon City via NLEX should prepare for heavy traffic today. A 3-4 hour delay is expected before reaching San Simon due to ongoing flooding at the Tulaoc Overpass in San Simon, Pampanga. @gmanews @dzbb pic.twitter.com/CXmtaQ5S9z

— JP Soriano (@jpsoriano) August 5, 2023

Meanwhile, Senator Francis Tolentino asked the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to lend its portable floating pumps to address flooding in parts of NLEX.

“Sabi ko sa NLEX, makipag-coordinate sa MMDA, dahil marami kayong kagamitan, ‘yung portable pumps natin, pwede higupin ‘yung tubig ‘yung nasa ibabaw ng Tulaoc Bridge sa San Simon,” said Tolentino, a former MMDA chairman.

Tolentino also suggested to the management of the Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation (MPTC) the possibility of refunding motorists who endured long lines at NLEX.

“Siguro po, tingnan na nila kung papaano po mabigyan ng kaunting refund naman yung ilang (motorista) dahil ilang gabi nang nata-traffic dyan. Pabalik-balik lang naman yung mga iyon, so tulong na rin sa ating mga kababayan,” the senator said.

He also urged toll road operators to exempt vehicles carrying relief items from paying toll.

This was amid the severe flooding in various parts of Central Luzon caused by heavy rains brought by the Southwest Monsoon and typhoons Egay and Falcon.

“Yung mga nagdadala ng relief items, dapat wala ng toll yun eh dahil natulong po ang mga iyon sa mga nasalanta sa baha,” he said.

Around 172 barangays in 16 towns and three cities in Bulacan are currently affected by floods, with depths ranging from six inches to seven feet based on the latest report from the Office of Civil Defense, while a total of 232 barangays in 15 local government units (LGUs) are affected in Pampanga. — VBL, GMA Integrated News